The regional elections highlight that national leadership is not enough: the center-right must take root and choose the best to win everywhere. The regional elections in Emilia-Romagna, Umbria and Sardinia have sent a clear message: the centre-right, to confirm its role as the leading coalition, cannot rely only on the national charisma of Giorgia Meloni or the strength of the Brothers of Italy. The real challenge is to build a network rooted in the territory, capable of communicating with local communities and choosing candidates capable of best representing the needs of citizens.
An important element that emerged from these regional elections is the strengthening of Forza Italia, which overtook the League and established itself as a balancing force in the coalition. This result is the result of the clear political strategy and inclusive leadership of Antonio Tajani, capable of bringing the party back to playing a central role in the coalition. Forza Italia has proven to be a credible interlocutor for the moderate electorate, confirming itself as a fundamental pillar for the success of the centre-right.
Tajani has demonstrated that a policy of moderation and local roots can produce concrete results. This strengthening places the party in a key position for future electoral challenges.
In Emilia-Romagna, despite progress compared to the past, the center-right was unable to undermine the dominance of the Democratic Party, which with 42.7% confirmed itself firmly in command in one of its historical strongholds.
In Umbria, Forza Italia obtained a significant result, overtaking the League with 9%, but the overall result of the coalition was penalized by strategic errors: the outgoing governor of the League, subject of numerous criticisms, and the choice to entrust the management of regional health to a Veneto councilor have weakened the relationship with the territory.
In Sardinia, despite the support of a compact coalition, the candidacy of Paolo Truzzu, mayor of Cagliari and figure of the Brothers of Italy, proved to be not very incisive. It was not internal unity that was lacking, but the candidate’s ability to intercept local dynamics. This reduced the chances of a clear victory, despite the coalition overtaking the left in the overall vote.
Where the centre-right has been able to take root, the results have been decidedly better. In Basilicata, Vito Bardi, with the support of the Forza Italia leadership group, has built a coalition capable of attracting transversal consensus and dialogue with voters traditionally close to the centre-left.
In Liguria, Marco Bucci embodied the winning formula: a civic, pragmatic and moderate candidate, capable of consolidating the coalition and broadening consensus beyond traditional ideological boundaries.
Giorgia Meloni had the merit of bringing the centre-right, born from the vision of Silvio Berlusconi, back to success. However, national consensus is not enough to win everywhere: the future of the coalition depends on the ability of all leaders to work together to choose the best candidates and build a shared strategy.
The centre-right’s challenge is to take root in the territories, enhance the most suitable profiles and maintain a constant dialogue with local communities. The strengthening of Forza Italia, led by Tajani, demonstrates that a moderate and pragmatic policy can be the engine of a cohesive and inclusive coalition.
The center-right today has the historic opportunity to consolidate its governing role throughout the country. But to do so, it must overcome the internal logic of the parties and work as a team, putting the merit and needs of the territories at the centre. The path is clear: build an inclusive and rooted political project to govern an increasingly complex Italy.